1:30min
Associate Professor and Head of Ocular Biomarker Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, Christine Nguyen and Dr. Adrian Bruce from the Australian College of Optometry will deliver their in-depth presentation, Thinking Beyond Glaucoma to the Brain at next week’s O=MEGA23/WCO4 clinical conference (8-10 September at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre).
Shedding light on the application of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology not only to eye disease but extending this to brain disease, A/Prof Nguyen and Dr. Bruce will explore how thinning of retinal ganglion cell layers observed through OCT imaging can be an indicator of multiple different diseases.
“Optometrists know that strokes or tumours in the brain affecting visual pathways manifest in the visual field. With OCT being used increasingly as a screening device it is also important to remember that these brain changes will cause retrograde degeneration of the retina, exhibiting as thinning of OCT retinal ganglion cell layers,” said A/Prof Nguyen.
Also acknowledging the monumental role that OCT plays in reshaping how eye diseases are diagnosed, A/Prof Nguyen and Dr. Bruce’s presentation will offer critical insights into the crucial connections between ocular health and neurological conditions.
“New evidence indicates that this concept extends even further into brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Given how common Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are in an older demographic who regularly visit the optometrist and who are more at risk of glaucoma due to their age, it is important to be aware of this OCT overlap and strategies to differentiate.”
A/Prof Christine Nguyen and Dr. Adrian Bruce will be presenting Thinking Beyond Glaucoma to the Brain on Friday, 8 September at 1:30pm in the Eureka Room.
The biennial O=MEGA event is the optometric industry’s biggest event in the Southern Hemisphere and in 2023, it will combine with the 4th World Congress of Optometry.
Featuring three days of clinical lectures presented by some of the optical industry’s best and brightest minds, O=MEGA23/WCO4 will also feature 9,000 sqm of optical products and services.
O=MEGA23’s partnership with the WCO creates a unique alignment and rare opportunity to combine a national and international program to showcase latest advances for clinical optometry and the ophthalmic industry in the region.
Various social functions are also on the itinerary for O=MEGA23/WCO4 delegates and include the Welcome Reception (Friday evening, 8 September) and the Meet and Greet Down Under event (Saturday evening, 9 September), which will run concurrently with The Koorie Market @ Naarm.
Creating a wonderful opportunity for the optometric community to connect with Aboriginal communities, the Koorie Market @ Naarm will highlight Indigenous and First Nations work, businesses, wares and musical talent, celebrating and uplifting their culture.